Oregon Teaching Certification
Oregon teachers need a bachelor’s degree from a TSPC-approved preparation program, supervised student teaching, and passing scores on required licensure exams to earn a Preliminary Teaching License. The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission issues four overlapping grade-authorization levels, from early childhood through high school, and out-of-state candidates can pursue a Reciprocal Teaching License instead of restarting their preparation.
Sponsored School(s)
Learn how to become a teacher in Oregon (or administrator). Choose the description of certification you are most interested in or the situation that best describes you:
- Initial Teaching Certification…
- I’m a teacher from another state…
- Teacher Certification Renewal…
- Admin./Principal Certification…
- Alternative Teaching Certification…
- Substitute Teaching Permit…
- None of the above is what I’m looking for…
Here’s what Oregon teachers earn by grade level, according to May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data:
| Grade Level | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $68,580 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $77,130 |
| Middle School Teachers | $78,350 |
| High School Teachers | $79,570 |
Getting Involved in Oregon Education
State funding decisions shape classroom resources, class sizes, and job openings for new teachers. A few ways to stay informed as you’re pursuing Oregon certification:
- Compare Oregon’s education spending to other states (see State Education Spending vs. Overall State Revenue).
- Review the Governor’s education platform and voting record (see Oregon Governor’s website).
- Register to vote and follow state ballot measures that affect school funding and teacher pay.
Initial Oregon Teaching Certification
Oregon’s initial teaching license is the Preliminary Teaching License, issued by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) to candidates who complete a state-approved preparation program, pass the required licensure exams, and clear a background check. Find schools offering teaching certification programs in Oregon.
Education Requirements
The State of Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) ([email protected]) expects that candidates for teacher licensure in the state complete a state-approved teacher preparation program at the bachelor’s degree level, at a minimum. Explore a list of approved teacher preparation programs in Oregon here.
If you complete your teacher preparation program out of state, and that program makes you eligible for a teaching license/certificate in that state, the TSPC will review your transcript/credentials and decide on your eligibility for licensure. You may be asked to complete additional educational requirements necessary for full Oregon licensure.
If you complete your teacher preparation in another country, you may request that any Oregon-approved teacher preparation program review your qualifications and credentials on a course-by-course basis. This institution will then determine what courses you need to take to meet Oregon’s licensure requirements.
Licensure Options
Oregon teaching licenses are issued at four overlapping grade authorization levels. These include:
- Early Childhood Authorization Level – authorizes you to teach from age 3 to grade 4
- Elementary Authorization Level – authorizes you to teach from grades 3 through 8, self-contained in an elementary school, and 5th and 6th grades,e self-contained in a middle school.ol
- Middle Level Authorization Level – authorizes you to teach from grades 5 through 10 and any multiple subject teaching assignment in grades 5 through 8 except in specialty areas.
- High School Authorization Level – authorizes you to teach from grades 7 through 12, departmentalized
Various types of teaching licenses exist in Oregon as well. The major ones include:
- Preliminary Teaching License: issued to new teachers who complete a bachelor’s degree through a TSPC-approved preparation program and meet the state’s exam and background check requirements. This is typically a candidate’s first Oregon teaching license.
- Professional Teaching License: an optional upgrade for Preliminary license holders who complete sufficient verified teaching experience along with an approved Advanced Program of Study.
- Reciprocal Teaching License: available to candidates who already hold a valid, non-provisional teaching license from another state, so they don’t have to restart their preparation.
Click here for a License Guide to all types of teaching licenses in the Teacher category and their subsequent endorsements.
Examinations
TSPC doesn’t administer licensure exams directly. Instead, it works with two testing companies: National Evaluation Series (NES), which administers the Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA), and Educational Testing Service (ETS), which administers Praxis exams. Which exams apply to you depends on your endorsement area and preparation program, so confirm your specific requirements with your program advisor or TSPC’s Test Guide before registering for any exam.
Content area assessment testing:
Most teacher preparation programs require a content area assessment before student teaching. Depending on the endorsement area you’re pursuing, this may be either the Praxis II or the ORELA exam.
Praxis II exams are commonly required for these licensure areas:
- Early Intervention-Early Childhood Endorsement
- Speech Communication – All Grades
- Special Education:
- Communication Disorders
- Hearing Impaired
- Visually Impaired
- Career & Technical Education:
- Agriculture
- Marketing
- Technology Education
- World Languages:
- French
- German
ORELA exams are commonly required for these areas of licensure:
- Art
- Biology
- Business Education
- Chemistry
- Early Childhood Education
- English Language Arts
- English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Essential Academic Skills
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- General Science
- Health
- Mathematics
- Middle Grades English Language Arts
- Middle Grades General Science
- Middle Grades Mathematics
- Middle Grades Social Science
- Multiple Subjects
- Music
- Physics
- Physical Education
- Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment
- School Library Media Specialist
- Social Science
- Spanish
- Special Education
Note: TSPC has suspended the Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment exam requirement. Candidates should not register for this exam until TSPC lifts the suspension. Check the TSPC Testing page for the current status.
Experience Requirements
As a student in an Oregon teacher preparation program, you will participate in both a supervised practicum and student teaching:
During the supervised practicum, you will observe classroom teachers at work and learn classroom management techniques and leadership skills. You might even be asked to lead the class yourself from time to time.
During your student teaching field internship, you will take over for the regular classroom teacher, leading instruction and performing the teacher’s daily duties. You will be placed into a class corresponding to the grade level and subject area in which you seek licensure. This experience may last from a few weeks to an entire semester. Your performance will be assessed continuously by a mentor classroom teacher and by licensure officials from your teacher preparation program.
Document and Application Requirements
Oregon licensure applications are submitted online through eLicensing, TSPC’s electronic application system. You’ll typically need to submit official transcripts from your teacher preparation program and supporting documentation such as a Program Completion Report. Check the Forms and Instructions page for current requirements. Processing times vary, so track your application status through your eLicensing account or contact TSPC directly for an estimate.
Criminal History Background Check
Oregon requires a fingerprint-based background check for first-time licensure or registration, student teaching placements, and reinstatement of a license that has expired for three or more years. TSPC contracts with Fieldprint for this service: submit your application and fee through eLicensing, wait for TSPC to email you Fieldprint codes, then schedule a fingerprinting appointment at a Fieldprint location. Fingerprints previously cleared by a school district or the Oregon Department of Education can’t be used to satisfy TSPC’s background check. TSPC only accepts results from prints submitted directly through its Fieldprint process.
You’re responsible for the fingerprinting fee. See the TSPC Fingerprinting page for current fees, step-by-step instructions, and answers to common questions.
Contact Information
If you want more information on TSPC-approved colleges and universities offering teacher education programs, reach out to the contact persons at each institution. Explore a list of schools offering teaching certification degree programs in Oregon.
For more information on the teacher licensure process in Oregon, contact TSPC by email at [email protected] or schedule a phone consultation through TSPC’s online booking system. TSPC no longer publishes a general public phone line. Email and scheduled phone consultations are the current contact methods.
If none of the situations above describe your path to certification, TSPC’s License Guide covers every license type in more detail, or you can reach out to TSPC directly for guidance specific to your background.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a teaching certification in Oregon?
Complete a bachelor’s degree through a TSPC-approved teacher preparation program, including supervised student teaching, then pass the required licensure exams and submit your application online through eLicensing. Most candidates earn a Preliminary Teaching License at the end of this process.
What tests do I need to pass for Oregon teacher certification?
TSPC works with two testing companies: NES, which administers the Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA), and ETS, which administers Praxis exams. Which exams apply to you depends on your endorsement area, so confirm your specific requirements with your preparation program or TSPC’s Test Guide.
Can I transfer my out-of-state teaching license to Oregon?
Yes, through a Reciprocal Teaching License. If your out-of-state teacher preparation program made you eligible for licensure in that state, TSPC reviews your transcripts and credentials to determine what, if anything, you still need for full Oregon licensure. See our Oregon teacher reciprocity page for the full process.
How much do Oregon teachers earn?
Elementary school teachers in Oregon earned a median annual salary of $77,130 as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Middle school teachers earned $78,350, and high school teachers earned $79,570 over the same period. See our Oregon teacher salaries and benefits page for details on retirement and insurance.
How long does it take to get an Oregon teaching license?
Most candidates complete a four-year bachelor’s degree program that includes a student teaching placement, though timelines vary by program and licensure level. Once you submit your application through eLicensing, processing times vary, so check your eLicensing account or contact TSPC directly for a current estimate.
- Bachelor’s degree required — Oregon requires a bachelor’s degree from a TSPC-approved preparation program, plus supervised student teaching, before you can apply for a Preliminary Teaching License.
- Four grade-authorization levels — TSPC issues licenses across four overlapping bands, from early childhood through high school, so your authorization depends on which level you’re preparing to teach.
- Reciprocity is available — out-of-state candidates don’t have to restart their preparation. A Reciprocal Teaching License lets TSPC review existing transcripts and credentials to determine any additional requirements for Oregon licensure.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Oregon, including application requirements and licensing timelines for your certification path.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers, reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
